Authentic Turkmen Chakdermeh Recipe with Chicken and Mixed Meat for a Royal Flavor

According to Saed News Cooking Service, Chäkderme is a traditional Turkmen rice dish that is simple to prepare and uses easily available ingredients found in most households. It is typically made with meat (chicken, lamb, or beef), rice, onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices.

Turkmen Chäkderme with Chicken

Ingredients (for 3 servings)

1. Chicken breast or thighs – 3 large pieces

2. Rice – 3 cups

3. Tomato paste – 1.5 tablespoons

4. Fresh tomatoes – 4

5. Onions – 2 medium

6. Oil – as needed

7. Spices: salt, black pepper, turmeric, and rice spice mix – to taste

8. Water – as needed

Step 1: Preparing the rice

Wash the rice thoroughly with cold water several times. Then soak it in water with 1 tablespoon of salt for 1–2 hours.

Step 2: Preparing chicken and onions

Wash the chicken pieces and peel the onions. Chop the onions finely.

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent.

Add the chicken pieces and fry them with the onions until both sides change color and turn slightly golden.

Step 3: Preparing the sauce

Wash and peel the tomatoes, then grate them.

Remove the chicken temporarily from the pot. Add spices (salt, black pepper, turmeric, and rice seasoning) to the onions. Then add the grated tomatoes and tomato paste. Sauté until the raw smell of the tomato paste disappears and the mixture becomes well combined.

Step 4: Cooking the chicken in sauce

Return the chicken pieces to the pot. Add about 1 liter of boiling water. Increase the heat slightly, cover the pot, and let the chicken cook until tender.

Step 5: Adding rice

Remove the cooked chicken from the pot. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the sauce.

Ensure the liquid covers about one finger above the rice. If needed, add more hot water or reduce excess liquid by increasing heat.

Let the rice start cooking and absorbing the sauce. Once it begins to soften, return the chicken pieces to the pot.

Cover the pot with a lid wrapped in a towel (to trap steam) and cook on low heat until fully steamed.

Step 6: Serving

Once fully cooked, remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish. Your Turkmen chicken Chäkderme is ready to serve. Enjoy!

Turkmen Chäkderme with Lamb or Beef

Ingredients

1. Lamb or beef – 500 grams

2. Rice – 3 cups

3. Onions – 2 medium

4. Tomato paste – 1.5 tablespoons

5. Fresh tomatoes – 4

6. Oil – as needed

7. Spices: salt, black pepper, turmeric, rice seasoning

8. Water – as needed

Step 1: Preparing the rice

Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it in salted water (about 1 tablespoon salt) for 1–2 hours.

Step 2: Preparing vegetables

Wash, peel, and finely chop the onions. Peel and grate the tomatoes.

Step 3: Cooking onions and meat

Heat oil in a pot and sauté the onions until soft. Add the meat and fry until it changes color.

Step 4: Adding tomatoes, paste, and spices

Add spices and mix well. Then add grated tomatoes and tomato paste. Sauté until the mixture is well cooked and the raw taste disappears.

Step 5: Cooking the meat

Add about 1 liter of boiling water. Cover the pot and cook until the meat becomes tender.

Step 6: Adding rice

Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pot. The liquid should cover about 1 cm above the rice. Adjust water if needed.

Cook until the rice absorbs most of the liquid and becomes soft.

Step 7: Final steaming and serving

Reduce the heat, cover the pot with a lid and towel, and let it steam until fully cooked. Then serve hot.

Enjoy your homemade Turkmen Chäkderme!